ABC-7 StormTrack Weather: Storm Chances Increase as Moisture Returns to the Borderland

Another surge of monsoonal moisture will move into the Borderland, bringing an increase in shower and thunderstorm chances through the weekend. While temperatures will remain above average, storms could bring gusty winds, heavy rainfall and localized flooding to parts of the region.

Gusty winds and blowing dust possible Tonight

One of the bigger concerns this evening and tonight could come from thunderstorm outflows. Forecast models have been consistently showing a strong outflow boundary moving north from Chihuahua around sunset.

That could produce wind gusts near 50 mph, particularly around sunset.

As a result, areas of patchy blowing dust are possible between roughly 6 and 9 p.m., including the El Paso and Las Cruces metro areas. Drivers should be prepared for rapidly changing visibility if blowing dust develops.

Friday brings an even better chance for storms

Moisture will increase a bit again for Friday. That will provide more fuel for showers and thunderstorms, with a 30-50% chance of storms across El Paso and Hudspeth counties during the afternoon and evening.

For the Borderland, the main threats Friday will once again be localized flooding and gusty thunderstorm winds.

Storm chances continue into the weekend

By Saturday, the upper-level high will begin shifting back toward the High Plains. There will still be enough moisture around to support isolated to scattered thunderstorms, although the mountains will have the best chance of seeing storms.